'I would have been all alone' is just one of the many comments from older people who came to the Healthy Living Centre on Christmas Day 2010. The event, sponsored by the UK's leading food service 3663, included a traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings and entertainment. Transport was provided to and from the centre by our marvellous volunteers on Guild Care minibuses. Staff and support volunteers also gave up their valuable time for a few hours to make Christmas Day special for 50 older people who would have found the day quite lonely and bleak.
One guest said 'It's made a wonderful difference. I would have been entirely on my own. I'm blind and all my relatives live a long way off' and another said 'It's made a tremendous difference as I've got no-one.'
Soup and hot drinks greeted guests on arrival, musical entertainment followed provided by Ted Young along with a fun Christmas quiz. Guests also received a visit from Councillor Ann Sayers, Mayor of Worthing, who popped in at lunch time to wish everyone a happy Christmas. Later Father Christmas arrived with gifts and everyone took home a goodie bag which was greatly appreciated. Many thanks to Scrummies, the local sandwich bar who provided delicious, warming soup.
Jill Lancaster, Healthy Living Services Manager said 'Many thanks to all the volunteers, staff and sponsors who made this special event possible.'